Choices


Life is all about choices; choices for the good and choices for the bad. The profundity of this truth is that, we don't get to choose the consequences for our choices. The consequences for our choices choose us. The awesome thing about choices for the believer is that God tells us what to choose.

Moses said in Deuteronomy 30:19, "I call -- heaven and -- earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Notice the latter part of the verse says, "choose life." It doesn't get any clearer than that! It goes on to say that the reason to choose life is to promise life for you and your offspring. That is great news!

However, along with that great news is the crashing reality that sin is lurking in the dark recesses of the flesh waiting for a port of entry. That port may be offense, addictions, attitudes or any other fleshly propensity that we may have. The question at this point will always be, will I choose to dock at the port called flesh or, will I choose to continue on to the port called life more abundantly?

Joshua echoed Moses sentiments in his address to the children of Israel. He said in Joshua 24:14-15, "Now therefore fear -- the Lord, and serve -- him in sincerity and in truth: and put away -- the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye -- the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve -- the Lord, choose you this day -- whom ye will serve; whether -- the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or -- the gods of the Amorites, in whose land -- ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve -- the Lord.

He gives the same charge to choose whom they would serve. He then lets the people know, whether you choose God or not is up to you, but as for me and mine we will serve the Lord. This is so powerful because as a leader he was letting the people know what He was going to do, regardless of what they did. If they picked up what he was putting down, they would choose what he chose and walk in the blessings of the Lord.

Unfortunately, the end of that story was that though they said yes to God in the presence of Joshua, when that generation died, they ended up choosing to serve other gods. The results of their choice are recorded in the book of Judges which is a detailed account of the cycle of sin which ultimately led to the Babylonian captivity.

In light of what you just read, what will you choose? Remember there will be consequences for whatever you decide. Blessings and abundant life if you choose God and His way or curses and calamity in life if you choose the devil and his way. The choice is up to you, but I say to you as Moses said to the children of Israel, choose life that you and your seed may live.

Love, peace and blessings,

Dr. Sheila

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